Photographers and BJD dolls.

I don't have professional knowledge of photography: I just have done photography for fun and to capture memories, ect. =] I would love to try photography with a BJD. I haven't really done photography with a model, so it'd be a nice learning experience and I think I would quite like it!

For the random note: I do find it a bit disrespectful. I know you wouldn't mean any offense by it, but from an outsider's point of view it might seem so.

 

I do photography for fun, in fact I followed my boyfriend into photography so we could have a hobby in common I prefer photography with a BJD to photography with a model because I'm in complete control and I'd feel weird about asking a human to do the things I've made BJD do (not because they're perverted, because I'm very shy around people)

I've done a photoshoot in a graveyard, both with dolls and without and I think that it doesn't have to be offensive. I picked the cemetery as a site for a BJD shoot because I wanted to use the amazing old church there, not the tombstones. I think I stood Gwen next to one tombstone because the design was quite stylised and it was very old, the picture looked awesome and I wouldn't rule out going back. I would never sit a doll on top of a tombstone or a grave, I think that's disrespectful.

When I did the shoot of the tombstones, I used ancient ones, ones from the seventeenth century, and I used military ones that had been forgotten, and as well as use them as subjects for my art, afterwards I cut away the overgrown weeds and cleared the names on the tombstones. There is nothing more sad to me than a forgotten grave, and I think tidying a grave up is a good exchange for taking a photograph of it. Tombstones are wonderful art pieces, I have seen so many different ones and because of the nature of tombstones, they have to be perfect and they have to be beautiful. I like photographing them and I love the challenge of bringing the ancient ones back to their former glory by giving them a good clean and a trim after the photographs.

 

They sound beautiful! A Mermaid doll would look awesome next to coral tombstones

I think it's only disrespectful if you're climbing all over the structure to get your shot. If you're only taking a picture it doesn't cause any harm.

 

i bought my dolls specifically to take photos of them. i did a college course on photography and hated it, but i really really enjoy photographing my dolls. it's so easy to make them look beautiful

also, it's not disrespectful to take photos in cemeteries. i've done it plenty of times and i havent had poltergeists coming out of my TV or coffins exploding out of the floor in my house.

i do however, think it is disrespectful when people vandalise, jump all over and steal flowers from grave-sites.

 

Taking photographs of the dolls is one of the main reasons I joined the bjd hobby. My husband and I both like photography so we can team up. We are also both taking sewing classes in order to be able to design clothes for the dolls. It will be nice to be able to create the total effect!

If I were taking pictures in a graveyard and using a random grave I probably would make sure to obscure the persons name on the tombstone out of respect.

 

Actually, becoming a photographer was, what I felt, one of the benefits of being a BJD owner. XD It has defintely inspired me to take pictures of humans and scenary more.

And yes. I believe taking pictures of dolls in graveyards is very disrespectful.

 

I picked up photography primarily because of BJDs, and have recently tried my hand at human portraiture (which is quite different as I found out.)

I'm still learning, but yes, definitely been inspired to try photographing humans after spending a couple of years (scary how long its been) photographing dolls to make them feel and look human.

Personally, I think its a little strange to photograph in a cemetry, but its more of a personal preference.

 

I'm the opposite: I started out in photography long time ago using human models so when I take pictures of my dolls, I'm influenced by the poses I think of from my previous human models. I think the challenge is to photography the dolls as human as possible. If you notice, the threads in the gallery that get the most comments tend to be the ones where the dolls have "come alive" in the pictures or appear almost human. While a photo might not have the perfect lighting/photographic technique, a really good pose will still make the picture stand out.

As for photographing in graveyards, I think it's only proper that you ask the cemetery caretakers if photography is permitted on the grounds. I find some graveyards as a great resource for scupture artwork. When I was in New Orleans a few years ago before Hurricane Katrina, I shot pictures at a local cemetery my sister lived near because the headstones and mausoleums had some really nice engraved artwork or sculptures that look beautiful when shot in black/white.

I made sure to ask the caretaker if it would be ok to take pics and he said it was. I didn't bring any bjds with me at the time (no way in the humid heat of 98 degrees) but honestly, I didn't see a problem if I had. As long as you respect the person's burial place and not remove anything/destroy/trample their spot, you should be fine.

 

I do a little photography in my spare time, just a hobby--I don't have a fancy camera, just a little Sanyo picked up at walmart for about $100, and my own imagination. I tend ot get compliments on the "artsy" photos I take--pictures with odd angles, primarily, that people don't usually see things from.

I get frustrated with human models sometimes. "Drop your chin." "Can you turn your head this way?" "Your ankle looks off, move it like so..." "Move you arm. Somewhere. Please!" At lead BJDs don't talk back! x3

Also, I do a little "modeling" (mostly cosplay stuff) in my spare time, so I get a grasp of how one can move and work angles and whatnot. That's helped out my doll photography quite a bit!

 

I had been into photography before finding the hobby, and actually, a huge reason I got into it was because of the photographic potential! It's still what keeps me in it actually, I just love to take pictures, not only of dolls, but of anything I can get my hands on.

 

Yes, part of the reason I got into BJDs was for the photo potential. I was photographing other dolls before BJDs and BJDs are soooo much easier than stiff dolls. I've slowly been building a project I call "object portraits" from my photos.

Many human photos inspire my doll photos and recently doll photos have given me ideas for human photos, but I don't have human models so it's back to the dolls I go!

If you'd like to see a couple examples, they are here:
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251515
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253482
I have a loottt of ideas coming up and I hope to make these into a book some day.

 

I had a big interest in photography beforehand, but BJD's have magnified it.

As for the graveyard bit: I don't think taking photos in a graveyard/of graves is disrespectful. I do think that you shouldn't put the doll on someone's gravesite/tombstone if you don't the person buried there.

 

I am a professional photographer and one of the appeals and attractions of BJDs was the photography potential. Imagine having beautiful models for you all the time, its your creative dreams! Anyways, I also would like to say I do not find being in a graveyard and photographing your doll on a grave disrespectful, I mean, back in the 1800s they treated a graveyard as a park. I would find it offensive if you portray your dolls making out or something, but... no other.

 

I was into photography for 4 years before I got a BJD. I mainly photographed my sister and my best friend, as well as the occassional nature things

I bought a BJD because I loved them, and being able to photograph them ended up being a bonus

 

I did photography before I got Sanyu, but not by much. Part of my motivation to buy her was that she'd make a great subject for my photo classes in school.

I used a lot of poses that I did of Sanyu during photo shoots at my job, since that's really the only place I have real people to pose.

I'm really funny when I take pictures in graveyards. You'll here me apologizing out loud... "Sorry! Excuse me! Hello I'm just here to take a picture... I'll be gone shortly... Thank You!"

 

Arichan, thats quite restpectful imo and they might feel honoured in retrospect.
but thats something very few do .

 

I photographed for about 5 years before I got my bjd, I've only sold a few things so hardly a professional, I did get my dolls to photograph though and then found out they are so much more Best thing about them is there always flawess skin lol

 

My mother is a professional photographer and I've assisted her and done photography with her for weddings, photoshoots etc for years. For me, it was one of those cases where, I suppose genetics and knowledge were on my side, but I never really had much desire to pursure photography for my own artistic purposes, (I was always more of a painter, illustrator etc).

And then, lo and behold, along came BJD's! I've become increasingly more interested in my own art photography through them. So, I didn't get into BJD because I wanted to use them as subjects, but photographing BJD has sparked more artistic interest in photography for me

 

back to still life is always fun and interesting.

 

Im a photographer, but my previous exhibition work and commissions have been architecture. When I got into dolls I didnt really think about taking photographs of them or involving them in my work, and I more or less take photographs of them for fun rather than artistically. I never considered bringing them into the themes of what I am more known for, I like to keep them seperate. Mainly because dolls do not interest me photographically (and I mean my own photos, I love other peoples), I am far too excited by architecture.

Side note, in brief I have always found photoshoots in graveyards distasteful, but there is already a thread about this in debate.

 

I've dabbled in photography for many years now, had a few commissions for pets, clubs and events. Like many here, one of the main reasons that attracted me to BJDs is the photography potential. The fact that they look perfect and gorgeous all the time is a plus. Less photoshopping work to improve skin blemishes, blah blah blah.

As for photography in a graveyard, depends how it is done. Movies have been shot in graveyards too. It is all a matter of respect and taste.

 

I`ve never done photography professionally, but I used to always force my friends to pose for my pictures. XD
But they never really turned out right.
Then along came bjds, mini models who will pretty much pose the way you want.
Match made in heaven :P

 

I've had photography classes before really getting into BJDS. I saw my first BJD while getting photography training and thought that a lot of the photography was inspiring to pursue getting my own dolls. (Hiritai was the first BJD photographer i saw and have expanded my fandom from there XD)

I own a Canon Rebel XTI, a telephoto and normal lense for it, i have a medium size point and shoot as well as a small point and shoot and use all three. (and they're all canons)

Oh and no, i don't think photography in a grave yard is disrespectful as long as you pay respect to the grave itself and your photography is artistic and meaningful.

 

Personally, that is one of my reasons on getting a bjd, i havent got someone to pose for me so when i first saw a bjd I thought of taking a lot of pictures of her in different outfits and think of something very conceptual or "artsy" with her.

I have'nt got a DSLR but I do have a trusty camera, though sometimes i want to buy a dslr first before buying my own bjd,
DSLR + BJD = ART to me at least.

It depends though, but if the name on the tombstone can be seen in the photo and the doll was standing on top of the grave (like right smack where they bury him/her) I think its a bit disrespectful IMO..

♥

 

YES! That's the exact reason I bought my BJD, so I could use her (I have no subjects) to practice my lighting and positions. Only thing I didn't realize is that she is only 6 inches tall, and makes it pretty hard! It has helped learning how to position my models though!

 

*Raises hand*

I wanted a doll and then I started realizing how awesome it would be to use them all for photography...now I've purchased a whole lot of things for my Pingping to use in a photo-series of him.



I mainly usually shoot people (fashion, bands, live performances, etc) but they are pretty much my muses at the moment, and apart from live music, they are all I've shot "professionally" for the past year and I even had an exhibition of them (currently still up) in december!!! I've found that even though I'm a photographer, they have helped me grow and learn even more about my chosen life career and hobby.

 

I am currently studying photography and although i havn't yet got a doll i would love to use the doll as a subject. I think a more practical way that a doll could be an influence in my work other than as my subject would be using the doll for test shoots, thinking about possible poses and lighting for a real human shoot, which all subsequently can be shown to your model so they get a feel for your ideas on the shoot and can be better directed.

 

One of the reasons im buying mine is for a model, because i dont want to waste the beauty of something having me pose infront of or with it :/ I doll will always be beautiful

 

a very big part of why I bought a doll was to practice my photography skills with it (the other big part was to be able to test clothing patterns without wasting too much fabric, I am no photographer but I am a professional dressmaker). I don't call myself a photographer, even in the amateur hobbyist sense, but I consider myself okay with photography and like learning more about it. I just lack the space and equipment to practice lighting tricks (etc) on myself or other people, so these dolls are just perfect for the purpose. I think it is a little hard to shoot something that doesn't change poses/move by itself or have different expressions, but I like the added challenge.

 

I used to be a professional news photographer with a few portraits thrown in for good measure. Photographing dolls is completely different from what I did though & the equipment has changed drastically. When I was working I used a manual SLR with a side mounted flash & diffuser. Now I only have a simple digital camera & in general I'm too lazy to experiment much with what it can do. Guess I'm a bit burnt out from all those years of dragging around about 20lbs of photo equipment with me.

I do find these dolls to be terribly photogenic & some folks take amazing pics of them. I always feel that mine should be better than they are considering my background so I seldom post them. One of these days though I'm going to take a day to myself & really play around with my camera to see exactly what I can do if I try hard enough.

 

I am studying to be a photographer and have worked as one. When I saw these dolls I had to have one for that reason. I'm working to get my first still. I however did get to photography a few other people's dolls at Kawa Con the other day. I'm accually hoping to find a vendor I met there.

 

This thread is really throwing up some interesting stuff about how photography and BJDs can feed into one another. Personally, I had a dabblers interest in photography when I was at college but just lost it as the years went by. Having got my BJDs, I find my interest in photography has returned and I am so enjoying experimenting with what I can do with doll and camera. And there are so many talented and creative photographers on these boards who have given me so much help and encouragement that this has really helped move me forwards.

I am one of the people who has become inspired by doll photography to branch out into people photography. In fact, in line with the subject matter of some of my doll shoots, I fully intend to explore erotic photography. I think that there just aren't enough female pornographers around!

 

I use my dolls in a lot of my works, actually! they're putting a show up in the gallery in my college with a series of images I did with doll/human interaction, they came out pretty cool to be honest.. here's one of the images if you're interested

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t68/natsuospictures/dolls.jpg

that's a medium format negative print on 11x14 paper, selenium toned. Scanning it just doesn't do it justice!

 

I'm an artist but I've never branched into Photography. I've thought getting a doll would help me break the ice with the photography, and since landscapes aren't really my thing, it's better than bugging my family and friends all the time to pose for me xD

As for the graveyard thing, this thread talks a LOT about that (among other things), so if you havent checked it out, here it is! http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253710

Though since the original post is kind old already, they've prolly been there, done that xD

 

I've been into photography for a long time, but I've only ever had a point-and-shoot.

I'm going into my college's photojournalism program, however, and I'm allowed to check out the j-school's DSLRs. I've checked one out for the weekend just to take pictures of my roommate's BJD to get practice with the camera, and get good shots of Lu for her.

We'll see how it goes.

 

I started with animals and random shots before going into BJDs for one of my photography assignments. Since then on, it's been quite a staple in my photography portfolio ^^;;

I still do a little human portraits, cosplay, cat photography once a while but none has ever give the same satisfaction that i'll receive when I'm taking BJD photographs.

 

Right now photography is just a hobby, but I'm going to be going to college for it next year. Photography is one of the main reasons I decided to get a BJD, they provide a nice challenge, plus most of my friends aren't willing to pose for me so it gives me a subject.

I think that graveyard shoots are a touchy subject, it really depends on the circumstances.

 

I'm a professional photographer too.
I enjoy to taking photos with dolls , not only the bjd .pullips . blythe , dal ,figure are also my models.
Dolls are good for DUN MOVE ,but bad also .
I'm like to give them the meaning inside the photos , that I often do in my jobs too.

Here some sample to share:

gorgeous


Dilutedness


Action



Human feel




Movie feel

 

I am/was a professional portrait photographer for a few years, and as i wait for the arrival of my first doll, i have to say that is one of the big things i really look foward to, is setting up a place to take full body and close up portraits of her. ^_^